How to pursue perfection in your lab

We know the struggle.

We know that it can be practically impossible to run a completely error-free lab.

But we also know that there are things that can be done to vastly improve it.

Being aware of typical errors and taking the right steps to avoid them is not a bad place to start.

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Knowing is half the battle…

Here are 5 of the most common pre-analysis lab errors that can ruin your experiments and yield false results:

1.?????Inaccurate volume transfer of samples.

2.?????Contamination of samples.

3.?????Bad traceability and documentation.

4.?????Environmentally caused errors.

5.?????Systematic errors.

Applying the knowledge is the other half…

Utilizing modern technologies is a great way of avoiding these errors.

Here are our 5 favorite countermoves:

1.?????Liquid handling robots.

Automating your pipetting routine with liquid handlers is an efficient way of avoiding inaccurate volume transfers of samples as they transfer the exact volume they are programmed for. A great example is the flowbot? ONE, which is built to be so intuitive and flexible that anyone can use it and benefit from automation.

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2.?????UV Light and HEPA filters

An easy way to avoid contamination of samples is utilizing modern technologies like UV light for disinfection and HEPA filters for protecting the samples during processing. Both instruments are available for flowbot? ONE, enabling you to work safely with sensitive samples.

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3.?????Sample Tracking Solutions

Many labs use automated sample tracking solutions, such as our instrument ScanID, to improve traceability and documentation, enabling them to scan and track samples in software and export the data as CSV files or LIMS systems.

ScanID scans an entire rack of 1D or 2D barcoded sample tubes in seconds and transfers the data directly to flowbot? ONE’s software, thereby eliminating sample switching and tracking errors.

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4.?????Class 1 Safety Cabinet

Environmentally caused errors can, for instance, be avoided using a class 1 safety cabinet. This helps create the right environment for processing sensitive samples.

A liquid handler like the flowbot? ONE fits nicely into a safety cabinet, ensuring that your samples are protected from all sources of contamination.

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5.?????Service and Training

Handling equipment correctly is instrumental for avoiding systematic errors. Therefore, we are huge fans of offering great service agreements and training.

At Flow Robotics, we place customer service front and center, making sure that automation is the solution – not the problem.

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Want to learn more?

Download our e-book about accuracy and reaching an errorless workflow.